Filler and cap construction



April 14, 1953 E. H. WITTENBERG 2,634,882

FILLER AND CAFHCONSTRUCTION lFiled sept. 28, 1949 f7) )H553 71 4022@ f3 a 326' /5 IE6' Patented Apr. 14, 1953 FILLER AND CAP CONSTRUCTION Edward H. Wittenberg, Eau Claire, Wis., assignor to National Pressure Cooker Company, Eau Claire, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 28, 1949, .Serial No. 118,353

4 Claims.

My invention relates to iiller and cap construction suitable for gasoline tanks, and more particularly to a filler opening for the gasoline tank of an outboard motor or the like, and va closure for the same. In an outboard motor, it is desirable to close the ller opening on the gas tank tightly so that if the motor is disposed in a position where the liquid fuel comes up to the opening, leakage will not occur. Leakage of gasoline, though small in amount, creates a re hazard because of the vapors which are given olf. A position wherein leakage is likely to occur may result when the motor is removed from its mounting and transported either as by being carried in the hand or disposed on the iloor of a vehicle. Likewise, the raising of the motor out of the water :by tipping it up while it is clamped to the stern of a boat tends to bring the liquid level up to the filler opening, and if the cap or Iclosure is not tight, leakage of fuel into the boat may occur. If the motor in such tilted up position on the boat is subject to ythe heat of the sun, vapor tends to be evolved, and considerable internal pressure may be developed. Likewise, if the motor is laid in Ian exposed position on the dock, the same thing will result. In fact, any exposure of the motor to temperatures higher than the temperature at which the tank was filled, may result in internal pressure of considerable magnitude, which tends to drive the liquid fuel out of any openings which are submerged. These pressures may rise to considerable values.

It is di'icult to screw or -cam down a ller cap tightly enough to prevent leakage of gasoline under the circumstances above enumerated, and a tight closure alone is not enough to meet the problem. The problem involves allowing the gasoline to flow out of the tank by gravity as required to supply fuel to the engine, and if air is not permitted to enter the tank to take the place of liquid withdrawn to feed the engine, the delivery of gasoline is interfered with. It may become erratic or may cease altogether, depending upon circumstances.

Heretofore, filler caps have been provided with a small breather hole to admit air under those circumstances, but this throws the situation back into the leakage phase of the problem.

I have conceived the possibility of utilizing the sealing gasket as a check Valve for preventing outflow of liquid even under pressure, and for permitting inflow of air needed to make up for withdrawal of fuel as utilized by the engine. I further conceived the possibility of making the cap by drawing the same out of sheet metal by suitable die forming operations to permit the above functional relationship to be embodied at minimum cost.

Now in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and operating a device embodying my inventionl I shall describe, in connection with the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the same.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional view through the top of the tank, showing the ller neck and cap in section, with a ap on the shroud for holding the cap in locked position;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the cap and a part of the tank; and

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view from the inside of the tank, showing the ller cap in position.

The tank I, which may be made of sheet metal or of die casting or of any other suitable construction, has a 'cylindrical neck 2 terminating at its lower end in a shoulder 3. The neck preferably stands with its axis vertical in the normal position of the engine jand the tank. An annular drain groove 4 extends about the shoulder 3, and it connects with a runoff groove 5 leading to the outside of the shroud and towards the rear of the engine. There is formed integral with the upper margin of the cylindrical neck 2 a tapered or conical shoulder 6 which forms an annular sealing seat for the gasket hereafter referred to.

Radially inside the tapered annular shoulder 6 the integral sheet metal walls are formed into a substantially fiat planar extension l. An eccentric opening is formed, as by a punching operation in these horizontal planar walls l, the maximum dimension of the opening extending in line with the points 8, 8 diametrically disposed with respect to the axis of the said neck 2. This provides an opening of maximum diameter for receiving the flanged securing stem of the cap member, and yet provides the remainder of the substantially planar walls l as lugs or anchorages for engaging shoulders formed on the stem of the cap.

The oblong opening is generally elliptical in sh-ape in the preferred form of the invention, but it is to be understood that the shape of the securing stem and the shape of the opening may be varied within the skill of the art to secure the desired result of allowing the stem to be entered through the opening and then turned into a position where two or more shoulders of the stem engage beneath corresponding overhanging shoulder portions of the ller neck to secure the 3 eect of la bayonet joint or interrupted thread connection. The preferred form herein shown is less likely to come loose under vibration because of the large angle through which the cap would have to travel before arriving at the release position.

The cap member IIJ is preferably formed of drawn sheet metal in the shape of an inverted -cup with a depressed bottom. Drawn sheet metal is preferable to a die casting because it is light and perfectly tight. The depressed portion forms the hollow stem 9. The said stem is generally oblong in shape with rounded ends, and the walls of the said stem are formed into a substantially flat flange integral with the bottom I3 and the depending annular wall I4. As above stated, this hollow stem is formed by a drawing operation of the metal in the horizontal top wall I5 of the cap I0.

The upper flat wall I5, at its margins, merges through an outwardly flaring wall I6V with the annular horizontal wall Il which forms the adjacent'side of a square bottomed groove 2l drawn into the side walls of the cap. 'Ihe outer cylindrical wall I8 which confines the bottom of the groove 2I is preferably knurled on the outside'for convenience in applying the device. The bottom horizontal wall I9 defines the lower side wall of the groove, and it in turn joins the cylindrical wall which is of a suitable length to engage or substantially engage the shoulder 3 on the tank neck. The lower rim of the wall 20 and the shoulder 3 may be inV firm engagement and yet the seal is lightly made.

The groove 2l, which is preferably rectangular in section, receives the annular iiexible elastic sealing ring 22, which is made of rubberlike material, such as neoprene or the like, of suicient elasticity and flexibility to seal with very light pressure against the conical shoulder 6 on the filler neck. The sealing ringA 22 is, seated. in the said square bottom groove 2l, and it is of suicientV radial dimension to overhang the c-onical seat 6, and when the cap is placed in position intended to close the filler opening, the said sealing ring 22 is applied to the said conical seat 6, and is bent upwardly to the desired extent by the downward pull of the central stem 9.

When the cap is removed from the filler neck the ring 22, because of its resilience, tends to assume its initial unstressed flat horizontal position.4 When the cap is to be applied to the neck to close the opening, the oblong stem 9, which has the flange I2, will enter the opening only when the major axis of the plug lies in line with the maximum diameter of the opening. The hollow stem 9, shown in Figure 2, would have to be turned 90 to enter the opening which is shown in Figure 3. The flange then just clears the points 8, 8 and downward pressure of the cap produced either by inclining the edges of the overhanging walls to produce a cam effect, or by merely depressing the cap by pressure of the hand, allows the flange I2 to slide beneath the overhanging walls 1, 1. This inward motion of the cap applies the margin of the ring 22 to the conical seat 6 and deflects the ring as shown in Figure l to apply the ring sufficiently to the seat to insure that there is at least a preliminary seal. Any excess of internal pressure over external pressure then perfects the seal by forcing the ring against the seat.

The bottom rim 20 of the cap prevents the cap from being forced inwardly further than necessary, andthe said rim 20 may engage the shoulder 3 or there may be some clearance between these parts. At all events, the joint between the flange 20 and the shoulder 3 is not air tight, and air may enter therethrough as required. When the cap is turned to the position as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the said sealing ring 22 is retained in contact with the seat tight enough that if internal pressure develops, the said elastic ring 22 will be forced more firmly to its seat, and will prevent any leakage of gasoline out of the tank at this point. However, the engagement of the ring 22 with its seat is light enough that if any substantial' sub-atmospheric condition in the tank begins to occur, the superior atmospheric pressure on the outside will lift the ring 22 Sulliciently to allow air to pass into the tank and permit the feeding of. gasoline to the engine.

The filler cap is held relatively lightly in place, butA it is effective, and the vibration of the motor does not tend to disengage the cap from its seat, nor to shake it around into p-osition whereV it would be released by registration of. the extending flanges with the maximum opening. However, I have provided a positive lock for the filler cap by providing a plug 25 on the flap 23- of the motor shroud. This flap 23 is hinged at 24 in xed position with respect to the ller opening, and the flap cannot be closed except asv the filler cap is in the position corresponding, to farthest away from release position, and the entry of the plug 25 into the depression 9 locks the ller cap against rotation and hence against release.

The elasticity of the metal parts stressed by forcing the rim 20 of the'capagainst the. shoulder 3 when the rim I2 is turned under the walls 1 'I insures retaining the beadandV groove in register.

The pocket formed in the recess 9 may be em ployed to store'shear pins for the propeller shaft or other minor highly necessary articles.

I do not intend to be limited to the details shown and described, except as the same are made essential in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A closure device for use with a tank-srller neck which neck hasv a noncircular0 opening with overhangng shoulders and agasket` seat about the non-circular opening, said device. coinprisng a cap having a pair of downwardly extending walls, the radially inner wall being formed as a central. stem stamped` downwardly to form an integral bottom wall a-nd radially outwardly extending integral shoulders, said shoulders being adapted to fit through theV wider portion of the non-circular opening in theneck and then,v upon rotation, being adapted to'- seat under said overhanging shoulders off the neckto couple the cap to the` neck, the radially outermost wall having agasket retaining groove with the gasket extending radially inwardly and adapted to seat by a portion of its. undersur.- face on the gasket seat'on the ller neck and to have its upper surface exposed whenv the cap is coupled to the neck, the shape of said shoulders and stem with respect to said opening inthe neck providing a passageway therebetweenY from beneath said stem upto the inside of. said cap and to the top surface` of the sealing gasket, said gasket when in use having aportion of' its lower surface exposed to atmospheric pressure whereby, when the capA is coupled4 tothe neck, the gasket may lift from its seat under; subatmospheric pressure inside the tank to' admit air tothe inside of the tank and.- whereby in'- ternal pressure inexcess. o atmospheric.- pressure in the tank is adapted to maintain the gasket against the seat.

2. A closure device for use with a tanks ller neck which neck has a non-circular opening with overhanging shoulders, a gasket seat about the non-circular opening, and a shoulder disposed radially outwardly from said gasket seat, said device comprising a cap having a central depending stem with shoulders at its lower end adapted to t through the wider portion or" the non-circular opening in the neck and then, upon rotation, being adapted to seat under said overhanging shoulders of the neck to couple the cap to the neck, said cap being disposed above said shoulders and gasket seat when the cap is coupled to the neck, said cap having a radially outer portion with a groove for carrying a gasket by its margin with said gasket extending radially inwardly from said portion and adapted to engage by a portion of its under surface the gasket seat of the neck and having its upper surface exposed to pressure inside said cap, the shape of said shoulders and stem of the cap with respect to said opening in the neck providing a passage- Way from beneath said stem to the inside of said cap and to the top: surface of the sealing gasket, said gasket being lightly exed against the gasket seat when the cap is coupled to the neck, and said radially outer portion of the cap having a margin adapted to engage the radially out- Ward shoulder of the neck to limit flexing of the gasket and inward movement of the stem without denying access of atmospheric pressure to a portion of the under side of said gasket, whereby internal pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure in the tank is adapted to force the gasket against the seat, and the gasket is capable of being lifited from its seat under subatmospheric pressure inside the tank to admit air to the inside of the tank.

3. A closure device for use with a tanks ller neck which neck has a non-circular opening with overhanging shoulders and a gasket seat about the non-circular opening, said device comprising a cap having a pair of downwardly extending walls, the radially inner wall being formed as a non-circular hollow stem stamped downwardly to form both a socket and radially outwardly extending shoulders, said shoulders being adapted to nt through the wider portion of the non-circular opening in the neck and then, upon rotation, being adapted to seat under said overhanging shoulders of the neck to couple the cap to the neck, .the radially outermost wall having a gasket retaining groove with the gasket extending radially inwardly and adapted to seat on the gasket seat on the filler neck, a hinged fiap secured to a relatively fixed structure adjacent the cap with said flap being adapted to overlie the cap when the latter is coupled to the neck, and a locking lprojection on the flap adapted to fit Within the non-circular hollow stem when the cap is in fully coupled position with respect to the neck to prevent rotation of the cap when the ap is down.

4. In combination, a filler neck having a cylindrical guiding portion and an axial shoulder, said neck terminating in an annulan seat and comprising a conical inwardly extending shoulder, a cooperating closed end cap having a cylindrical guiding portion telescoping with the neck guiding portion and having an axial shoulder for engaging the axial shoulder of the filler neck to locate the cap relative to the neck, said cap having an internal groove the plane of which is substantially normal to the cylindrical axis of the cap', a fiat rubber ring having its outer margin seated in said groove and tending normally to lie in said plane, said flat ring having the inner margin thereof pressed against the conical seat of said neck to produce a closure when the axial shoulder of the cap engages the axial shoulder of the neck, releasable tension means extending from the inside of the closed end of the cap to the inside of the neck ange and interltting with the same for holding said shoulders substantially in engagement and the rubber ring exed against the conical seat.

EDWARD I-I. WITTENBERG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 430,349 Munger June 17, 1890 1,720,349 Reid July 9, 1929 1,746,926 Boyle Feb. 11, 1930 1,791,650 Williams Feb. 10, 1931 1,825,134 Storms Sept. 29, 1931 1,972,156 McCrudden Sept. 4, 1934 1,987,869 Reichenbach Jan. 15, 1935 2,130,637 Darling Sept. 20, 1938 2,218,183 Wittenberg Oct. 15, 1940 2,368,795 Wittenberg Feb. 6, 1945 2,395,602 Wittenberg Feb. 26, 1946 2,399,115 Hansen et al Apr. 23, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 135,205 Switzerland Nov. 16, 1929 

